site.btaHealth Ministry Team Reports Back

Sofia, May 7 (BTA) - Caretaker Health Minister Michail Okoliyski's team on Thursday presented a report on its activity, the Health Ministry said on Facebook.

During the last two months, the Ministry terminated dubious public procurements lacking clarity and predictability. To protect the public interest, mechanisms for rapid response to emergency situations were introduced while ensuring preventive care of the most vulnerable groups by launching a free-of-charge flu vaccine programme for children under 7, the report says.

Top priority was set on maternal and child health by starting extended neonatal screening for rare diseases. Along with that, a national model for home visiting services was adopted, providing support for thousands of young families. Special attention was paid to the future of the system by taking tangible steps to improve conditions for post-graduate training of young medical specialists and their career growth in Bulgaria. 

An emphasis was laid on the accessibility of medical care by concluding contracts for the setting up of 100 new dispensaries in small and outlying settlements. Along with that, an impetus was given to digitization by upgrading the eHealth app. Strategic documents on psychiatric care and tackling addictions were adopted, including a new strategy on the fight against drugs. The psychotherapist profession was regulated for the first time, Okoliyski's team reports. 

Earlier in the day, the Health Ministry said that the first national programmes for organized screening for cervical cancer and colorectal cancer in Bulgaria have been submitted to public consultation.